The pressure washer will run for a few seconds with good water pressure,then something in the pump causes the engine to shut off and all pressure is lost. Trying to restart the engine is almost impossible..the engine won't even turn over . Thanks, Eric

Is this something new happening?

These machines quickly (a matter of seconds) build up to pressure and shut off. A slow leak is not much of a player. Eventually the pressure will bleed off and the pump come on (for a few seconds).

Pressure restored, should be good to go. Have you cleaned the inline filter to the hose. If there is a short burst of water then a dribble with a new hose, the filter is a first check

Check your oil level. This machine has a "low oil shutoff" safety mechanism. If the oil is low it shuts down.

Check for a clog.

take the hose off the washer pump and start it. if you have good water pressure then you may have something on the hose or the wand. I had a lizard in mine that caused that problem before.

Had a similar issue with my dewalt 4200 pw. Unit starting shutting off after spraying for about 5 min. Then difficult to restart, but would start again eventually only to shut down a few min later. Had new engine oil, new pump oil, good gas. I changed the spark plug and unit runs great again!

My first thought was that of a water logged tank which causes short cycling, from your notes the tank is good (the tank may be partially water logged though) If the tank is ok and your getting short cycling (and the switch is good) I would guess your check valve down the well has failed. As the pump creates pressure then shuts off the water may be going right back down the well causing the pump to cycle again. This could also account for the poor water pressure as the check valve may be stuck slightly open allowing the system to loose pressure but only allowing a small amount of flow by when running. There could be a leak within the pumps drop-pipe and your loosing pressure through this leak. I expect you'll have to have the pump pulled.
I hope this may have helped,
Tom

It sounds like an air lock. Try this: With the machine off, connect the hose to the washer and let it run for several minutes to get all of the air out of the hose, and to purge any air out of the pump. Shut off the water, and connect the high pressure hose, but not the gun. Let the water run for several minutes. stretch out the HP hose and make sure that the air is displaced. Shut off the water, connect the gun, and purge as before. Now crank it washer up. As quickly as safe to do so, open the trigger to keep water moving through the washer. It should come up on pressure very quickly. It is better during normal operation to keep water moving through the system. When I am through for a while, I shut down my washer, but leave the trigger depressed to allow the pump to stay full of water, and cool. This prevents further problems when I restart it.
Hope this was useful.

Regards --W/D--

I had the very same problem and nobody could help me until I was talking with a co-worker. Its a very easy fix. I couldn't believe it. I did this yesterday and it ran like a charm. You can either replace the head gasket or just by a good sealer to use on your existing gasket or replace it. I use Indian head gasket sealer on mine. The bolts on the bottom were lose causing a loss of compression. If you need more info you can email me (for free) and I will tell you exactly how to do it. [email protected]

You have a bad piston

Leaving the hose on shouldn't cause a problem so don't panic. It sounds like you could just have a dirty nozzle. Try sticking a pin or something in the end of the nozzle (machine not running) and giving it a clear out. also if it is a two peice gun, split it and tap the squirting part on something clean like a workbench to clear any debris that might have got in there.